[Anxious]

Oh dear! I'm SOOO disappointed - so ANGRY! I really had hoped that I had this nasty IBS licked! Yeah, right!! My husband & I are going out in an hour or so to buy some Caltrate Plus! As some of you know, I have been for about 3 days having wonderful success with Metamusil & Lactaid - short-lived success.... Just came home from a wonderful meal at one of Regina's nicer restaurants - a place that usually does cause me an attack of IBS - this should really test it, I thought! At first, I had a cramp or two, went and did a normal bowel movement, a rare occassion, I must say - then coming home, or should I say RACING home (!!!) I just KNEW that this was not good - bad cramps, gurgles & rumbles, made it to the bathroom in the NICK of time - one more second & I would NOT have made it! Thanks everybody for all your advice & patience with me as I fluxuated between "yes I'm going to try Caltrate Plus, no maybe I'll wait - what I'm doing seems to be going well" till now "I'm going right out to buy some Caltrate" - Oh, I pray it works as so many say it does... wish me luck!....

 

[Missycat]

Hey, Anxious - Caltrate Plus works for a lot of us, but not everybody. I hope it'll work for you. If not, try calcium citrate.BUT - you might want to look into this new chewable type of calcium carbonate called "Viactiv". It's like a chocolate carmel, and it's got calcium carbonate and vitamin D, and Walgreen's sells a very small package for about a dollar or two, I believe. That way you're not spending too much money to try something that may or may not work. Viactiv works for me, too.Good luck, dear! I certainly hope you find relief.

------------------"We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are."-----Oprah WinfreyMissycat

 

[Anxious]

Missycat, thanks for responding! I wish me luck too! Now, you or probably somebody already told me this but I forget & don't want to read all the bulletins again so, how many do you take of the Caltrate Plus a day? Anybody? Thanks in advance... I bought'em, just gotta take'em now & pray...

 

[Guest]

Anxious: I started taking Caltrate Plus about 3 weeks ago and have had very few problems since that time. I started out taking 1 tablet after each meal, but that was too much for my system, so I cut down and take 1 after breakfast and then 1/2 tablet after dinner. You just have to experiment to see what's best for you. Some people only take 1 tablet or 1/2 tablet every other day. Good luck and I really hope the Caltrate Plus helps you like it has me!

 

[Guest]

When you try the calcium give it a chance to work. Don't go running out and test it by eating iffy foods. When you've had IBS for a while your intestinal tract needs some time to settle down. You didn't get this way over night and it may take some time to get better. I've had good luck with the calcium but I'm also taking a few other things and eating a really bland diet. As I continue to do well I will reintroduce more interesting foods.

 

[Anxious]

Thanks also LinD & Pat H - your advice is much appreciated!

 

[LNAPE]

AnxiousStart with the 3 a day so you will see if it is helping right away. You can always cut back if you start to become constipated. I started with 3 now am on 2 a day. One with a meal. You sound like you are having pretty much constant problem as I did. 3 a day should do it and you should notice a difference right away. Take it regular and dno't give up on it it may just take a while to find what is right for you. I have a year of success with it. Good luck and let us know the results.Linda

 

[Anxious]

Thanks LNAPE - now, 3 a day you say. I just got up, will take one with breakfast. If you happen to read this again, or anybody else, I now am wondering if I should try to take them at approx. the same time each day, when you say take them regularly, did you mean the same time each day LNAPE? - I don't really have specific mealtimes, & on weekends I tend sometimes to sleep in which really changes my schedule. Also, would you all recommend that I stay on the Metamusil & Lactaid too - I think I should. thanks again

 

[marianne]

I take a generic version of Caltrate Plus (Walgreen's) before every meal. How much you need is really an art not a science. I am a senior citizen so I need more calcium than younger people. With the generic C+ I also take a plain tablet of calcium in the a.m. before breakfast. If I am going out to have a big meal at a restaurant (which I couldn't do before I started taking the C+) I take an extra C+ (i.e., 2 tablets). If I find that I have overly firm bm's I cut back 1 tablet a day (but a glycerine suppository helps with this). It's a see-saw process. But it really works -- thank God for LNape and this bulletin board. Two days ago I forgot to take the a.m. and lunch dose (things got to be so wonderfully normal that I forgot about IBS) and the next day sat on the toilet and literally clogged it up with a soft b.m. which led to the old pains in the right side. Fortunately I knew that my therapy was in that purple and white plastic bottle and things were normal in 12 hours.Good luck.

 

[Anxious]

As I just said on another bulletin here, I have suffered another bout of diarrhea - actually about an hour ago, had 3 mad dashes to the bathroom - very bad - just like old times. I'll keep on plugging - only just taken the Caltrate Plus for 2 days so hoping its only taking time to work.....

 

[Guest]

Many moons ago, I started the Caltrate Plus and then had occasional accidents. I kept on taking it and the accidents got further and further apart. I haven't had an accident since January, but have had a couple of rush jobs and some multiple movements, but then three in one day is considered normal. I've switched to Walgreen's Calcium+Minerals which is almost the same as Caltrate Plus, but about 25% of the cost. One after each meal or sitting which resembles a meal. So, somedays, I only take two. I think you get better as time passes. I'm into my seventh month and quite happy. Working again part time.

 

[Anxious]

TB - thanks for that! I needed to hear you say that! Today, again, I had a really bad morning - kept running in a panic to the washroom - oh well, tomorrow is another day, I'm thinking - maybe it'll kick in soon! I'm glad for you that it helped & I'm hoping I can say that soon too!

 

[LNAPE]

Anxious,Are you taking 3 tablets a day. You can take 4 if 3 is not doing it for you just to get you on track. You may need more than some. I take mine with meals I do not have any discomfort unless I eat so the timing of my dose is just when I eat. If you are not eating 3 meals a day and still getting diarrhea just take 4 anytime you feel your stomach acting up not at once one at a time through out the day..Linda

 

[Anxious]

Thanks LNAPE - no, I'm only taking 2 a day. Guess I'll start with 3 tomorrow - was taking 2 a day because I usually only eat 2 meals a day & wanted to take them with meals - but I guess I'll include one with a snack too.

 

[Guest]

I hope this doesn't get posted twice, but I tried awhile ago and got cut off.When I have a really bad 'D' morning, I take about 1/4 teas of liquid Imodium and it usually takes care of it (of course I'm still taking Calcrate 600 Plus)Here's hoping you have a better day tomorrow!------------------LET'S ALL PRAY FOR A CURE TO THIS IBS SOON!BETTIE

 

[Anxious]

Thanks Bettie!If you read the one I just posted "Probably a Dumb Question" - this is my day today! And, after going at least 10 times or more, I still feel like I may have to make another mad dash to the can! I also have nauseau too which I don't normally have - perhaps I'm just sick! There is a really bad flu going around this city - but it supposedly is accompanied by a very high temperature, which I don't have, so don't know...Immodium - I may have to try it too. But just HOW MANY things do we have to take? This is getting ridiculous!!!!